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2010 Audi A3 2.0 TFSI quattro

Base Price: $36,900

Driver Must Haves: Sport Package ($3,100)

It’s not as sharp as a Subie WRX265. But think of this classy-looking A3 as the Golf R Volkswagen Canada (shy 80 hp) won’t bring here. The five-door A3 is chock-a-block with all-wheel drive, twin-clutch gearbox, a gutsy 200 hp and 207 lb.-ft. of torque 2.0-litre turbo-four and a magnetic-ride suspension that’s part of a Sport package that includes better seats and 18-inch summer performance rubber. Set said suspension to Sport, and the Audi compact delivers body control, ride quality and balanced handling never before experienced in an A3.

2010 Mazdaspeed3

Base Price: $32,995Driver Must Haves: None

Updated for ’10 with new bodywork shared with its cooking siblings, the sportiest Mazda3 is the hellion of this batch of half-dozen hot hatches. Its carryover turbocharged, intercooled 2.3-litre four still guts out 263 hp and 280 lb-ft to the front wheels through a six-speed manual transmission. Torque steer? You betcha. At least increases in spring and shock rates, electro-hydraulic steering system and larger rubber lessens understeer. A bit.

2010 Mini Cooper S Clubman

Still fresh after seven years on the market, the new-for-’09 wagonish Clubman joins the shorty Cooper models, which were all-new in ‘2008. The Clubman’s stretched-wheelbase, added length, rear passenger door and a pair of rear barn doors don’t take away from the Mini’s go-kart capabilities. And grownups will appreciate its more compliant ride. As per the other Mini S models, the stretch-lino of Minis gets a direct-injected 1.6-litre turbo-four that pumps out a healthy 177 hp and 172 lb-ft via a slick-shifting six-speed manual.

2010 Subaru WRX Five-door

Base Price: $33,395Driver Must Haves: None

For 2010, the “265” badging has been dropped. But the regular-strength WRX still remains the WRX to get over the pricey STi. For example, only 40 hp shy of the top-line $39,995 STi, the 265 goes from 0-to-100 km/h in only 5.4 seconds—just 0.2 seconds slower than the STi. It helps that the WRX265 only weighs 1,440 kg—about 100 kg less than its big brother. And with a more accurate five-speed stick (an autobox is available), the WRX is a much more livable daily driver in cut-and-thrust urban manoeuvres than the more trying STi with its sloppy six-speeder. The WRX’s ride is still resilient on bad pavement, but the extra motion from the ’08 WRX seems to have been removed.

2010 Volkswagen GTI

More like a Mark 5 1/2, instead of its official Mark VI designation, meangingful adjustments to the revised 2010 GTI’s chassis makes it our favourite hot hatch. The front-drive VeeDub’s turbocharged 2.0-litre inline-four is a carryover. Though its 6.9 second 0-100 km/h time matches the more furious Mazda3. Admittedly, the VW isn’t as sharp in it’s handling as the hyper Mazspeed3; its extra height and weight are the main culprits. But the suspension’s flexibility conjures up a good compromise. The new killer app for 2010 is its standard front electronic differential. It applies brake pressure to the inner wheel, which sends more torque to the outer wheels. The result? Understeer is dramatically reduced; the car feels more balanced and cleaner (i.e. faster) through turns. The only thing the new GTI needs is about another 70 hp. Say, like in the European Golf R…

2010 Volvo C30 T5 R-Design

Base Price: $40,695Driver Must Haves: None

If the Volvo part of your brain is full of V-this or XC-that, make room for the C30. Shorter and lighter than the S40 sedan upon which it’s based, the C30 is a lot more agile. The C30 T5’s electro-hydraulic steering is accurate. While paired to a six-speed stick, its 227 hp 2.5-litre turbocharged five is smooth and eager. Compared to its S40/V50 platform mates, Volvo’s done a better job with its hot hatch’s suspension, combining flat cornering without a brittle ride.

[…] nuts, bolts and electrons come from the new 2010 Lexus HS 250h hybrid sedan. And similar to Volvo’s C30 premium hatch, the Lexus sports four bucket seats. Auto-show gimmicks include headrest-mounted […]

Roger Clarke March 20th, 2010 @ 5:13 pm

When will Subaru up the gear count on the Imprezas with autobox? My wife refuses to even try to learn to use a manual and the existing 4 speed version is simply outmoded, especially when compared to the competition.

[…] our road evaluation in and around the eastern Ontario town of Calabogie. But the previous WRX (and Straight-Goods/Hot Hatches fave) moved from 0 to 100 km/h in about 5.5 seconds, considerably quicker than the competition or, […]

[…] Although the original 1957-1975 iteration had a sub-500 cc, two-cylinder engine mounted in the rear, the new 500 is a modern front-engine, front-wheel drive, four-seat hatchback which shares its underpinnings with the award-winning Fiat Panda. Initially, the 500 will come as a two-door hatchback, with a Cabrio (it’s more of a giant cloth sunroof than a traditional convertible) following in May. A high-performance Abarth model will arrive on showroom floors a year from now to challenge the likes of the Mini Cooper S. […]